12 Unassuming Bakeries In Maine With Mouthwatering Treats You Need To Try

Who knew Maine was hiding a treasure trove of heavenly carbs?

From coastal gems to small-town surprises, these 12 bakeries are serving up slices of paradise that’ll make you forget all about your beach body dreams.

1. Congdon’s Doughnuts (Wells)

Wooden chairs outside invite you to sit and savor. But let's be honest, their doughnuts won't last that long! — Wooden chairs outside invite you to sit and savor. But let’s be honest, their doughnuts won’t last that long! Photo Credit: Ben Jardines

Imagine a place where doughnuts are practically a religion.

Welcome to Congdon’s, folks!

This family-run joint has been satisfying sweet tooths since 1955.

The red exterior might scream “barn,” but inside, it’s a wonderland of fried dough delights.

A red barn of delights! Congdon's isn't horsing around when it comes to doughnuts – they're the mane event here. — A red barn of delights! Congdon’s isn’t horsing around when it comes to doughnuts – they’re the mane event here. Photo Credit: Michael U.

Pro tip: Get there early, or you might find yourself in a line longer than Maine’s coastline.

But trust me, it’s worth the wait.

Their honey-dipped doughnuts are so good, you might consider moving to Wells just to be closer to them.

2. The Holy Donut (Portland)

Holy spuds, Batman! Their potato doughnuts are so good, they'll make you forget about French fries. — Holy spuds, Batman! Their potato doughnuts are so good, they’ll make you forget about French fries. Photo Credit: Stacey Dawn O

Potato in a doughnut?

Before you cry sacrilege, give The Holy Donut a chance.

This Portland institution has turned spuds into a secret weapon, creating doughnuts so moist and flavorful, you’ll wonder why all doughnuts aren’t made this way.

Their storefront might be simple, but don’t let that fool you.

The Holy Donut: where 'health food' meets indulgence. It's practically a vegetable, right? — The Holy Donut: where ‘health food’ meets indulgence. It’s practically a vegetable, right? Photo Credit: Courtney K

Inside, it’s a flavor fiesta that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.

And with their commitment to local ingredients, you can almost convince yourself these doughnuts are health food.

Almost.

3. Scratch Baking Co. (South Portland)

Scratch that itch for perfection! This bakery's name isn't just clever marketing – it's a delicious promise. — Scratch that itch for perfection! This bakery’s name isn’t just clever marketing – it’s a delicious promise. Photo credit: Karl Morlock

If bread is your love language, Scratch Baking Co. is about to become your Rosetta Stone.

This South Portland gem takes “made from scratch” to a whole new level.

Their bagels are so good, New Yorkers have been known to grudgingly admit defeat.

A feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Scratch's window display is like a modern art exhibit – if art was edible. — A feast for the eyes and the taste buds. Scratch’s window display is like a modern art exhibit – if art was edible. Photo credit: Ken Toole (Muttly)

The blue-and-white awning might not scream “food paradise,” but step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a carb lover’s nirvana.

Just remember: “I’ll just have one” is a phrase that doesn’t exist here.

4. Two Fat Cats Bakery (Portland)

No actual cats were fattened in the making of these pies. But you might be after a visit! Photo credit: Two Fat Cats Bakery

Don’t let the name fool you – there are no actual fat cats here.

Just fat-happy customers waddling out with boxes of heavenly pies.

This Portland staple proves that sometimes, the simplest things in life (like perfectly flaky pie crust) are the best.

Two Fat Cats: where 'pie in the sky' dreams become delicious reality. Just don't tell your personal trainer. — Two Fat Cats: where ‘pie in the sky’ dreams become delicious reality. Just don’t tell your personal trainer. Photo credit: Sarah C

The brick exterior might be unassuming, but inside, it’s a whirlwind of buttery aromas and sugar-dusted dreams.

Their whoopie pies are so good, they should probably be illegal.

But let’s keep that between us, okay?

5. Standard Baking Co. (Portland)

Standard? More like extraordinary! This bakery sets the gold standard for crusty, buttery perfection. Photo credit: Jess Justice

“Standard” is the biggest understatement since someone called the Grand Canyon “a pretty big hole.”

This Portland bakery is anything but standard.

Their croissants are so buttery and flaky, they make the Eiffel Tower seem positively mundane in comparison.

Flour power at its finest! Standard Baking Co. proves that sometimes, the classics are classic for a reason. Photo credit: Brian Smith

Tucked away in a brick building, it’s easy to miss if you’re not looking.

But follow your nose (and the trail of happy customers clutching paper bags), and you’ll find yourself in pastry paradise.

6. Frank’s Bake Shop (Bangor)

Frank-ly, my dear, you should give a damn about these doughnuts. They're the stuff of Stephen King's sweetest dreams. — Frank-ly, my dear, you should give a damn about these doughnuts. They’re the stuff of Stephen King’s sweetest dreams. Photo credit: Haylee M.

Frank’s has been a Bangor institution since 1945, proving that some things really do get better with age.

Like a fine wine, or George Clooney, or… well, you get the idea.

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The simple storefront belies the magic happening inside.

Time travel never tasted so good! Frank's is like a delicious wormhole to a simpler, sweeter era. — Time travel never tasted so good! Frank’s is like a delicious wormhole to a simpler, sweeter era. Photo credit: JNYCwriter

Their doughnuts are so light, they might float away if you’re not careful.

And don’t even get me started on their pies – they’re the kind of good that makes you want to slap your grandma.

(Don’t actually do that, though. She might stop baking for you.)

7. European Bakery & Tea Room (Falmouth)

Europe called, they want their pastries back! But we're keeping them – sorry not sorry, old world. — Europe called, they want their pastries back! But we’re keeping them – sorry not sorry, old world. Photo credit: European Bakery and Tea Room

Forget booking a flight to Paris – just head to Falmouth instead.

This charming spot brings a slice of Europe to Maine, minus the jet lag and confusing currency exchange.

Pinch me, I must be dreaming! Or in Paris. Nope, just in Falmouth at the European Bakery & Tea Room. Photo credit: Kufsteinblick

The pink exterior might make you think you’ve stumbled into a life-size dollhouse, but inside, it’s all business when it comes to buttery croissants and delicate pastries.

Their scones are so authentic, you half expect the Queen to pop in for afternoon tea.

8. Bam Bam Bakery (Portland)

Gluten-free and flavor-full! Bam Bam proves that 'free from' doesn't mean free from deliciousness. — Gluten-free and flavor-full! Bam Bam proves that ‘free from’ doesn’t mean free from deliciousness. Photo credit: Rhonda R.

Gluten-free folks, rejoice!

Bam Bam is here to prove that “gluten-free” and “cardboard-like” are not synonymous.

This Portland gem creates treats so good, even the most devoted wheat-lovers might be tempted to switch teams.

The Flintstones would approve! Bam Bam's treats are so good, they're practically prehistoric. — The Flintstones would approve! Bam Bam’s treats are so good, they’re practically prehistoric. Photo credit: Bam Bam Bakery

The playful name and cupcake logo hint at the fun waiting inside.

Their cinnamon rolls are so gooey and delicious, you’ll want to face-plant right into them.

(Resist the urge. It’s frowned upon in polite society.)

9. Hillman’s Bakery (Fairfield)

Hill-elujah! Hillman's proves that sometimes, the best things in life are hiding in plain sight. — Hill-elujah! Hillman’s proves that sometimes, the best things in life are hiding in plain sight. Photo credit: Jason Biedinger

Hillman’s is the kind of place that makes you nostalgic for a time you might not have even lived through.

It’s been serving up comfort in carb form since 1957, and shows no signs of slowing down.

Time stands still at Hillman's – except for the doughnuts, which disappear at alarming speeds. — Time stands still at Hillman’s – except for the doughnuts, which disappear at alarming speeds. Photo credit: Jamie B.

The unassuming exterior might not turn heads, but inside, it’s a time capsule of deliciousness.

Their doughnuts are the stuff of legend – so good, they might make you forget about that “diet” you were supposedly on.

10. Lil’s Cafe (Kittery)

Size doesn't matter at Lil's – unless we're talking about flavor. Then it's larger than life! — Size doesn’t matter at Lil’s – unless we’re talking about flavor. Then it’s larger than life! Photo credit: John F

Lil’s might be small in name, but it’s big on flavor.

This Kittery hotspot is proof that good things come in small packages – especially when those packages are filled with their famous crullers.

The simple storefront gives way to a cozy interior that feels like a warm hug.

Lil's might be small, but its crullers are mighty. Prepare for a David vs. Goliath battle of deliciousness. — Lil’s might be small, but its crullers are mighty. Prepare for a David vs. Goliath battle of deliciousness. Photo credit: John F

Their crullers are so good, they’ve been known to cause spontaneous happy dances right there in the cafe.

Don’t fight it – just go with the flow.

11. Forage Market (Lewiston)

Forage for flavor! This market is a treasure trove of tastes, no hunting skills required. Photo credit: Ivory R.

Forage Market is like the cool kid in school who’s good at everything.

Bakery?

Check.

Coffee shop?

You bet.

Gourmet market?

Absolutely.

Part bakery, part time machine. Forage Market's historic digs house thoroughly modern delights. — Part bakery, part time machine. Forage Market’s historic digs house thoroughly modern delights. Photo credit: Todd R.

It’s the kind of place that makes you want to linger all day, sampling everything in sight.

The historic building exterior gives way to a modern, airy interior.

Their bagels are so good, they’ve been known to cause heated debates about whether they’re better than New York’s.

(Spoiler alert: they might be.)

12. Bread & Roses Bakery (Ogunquit)

Bread & Roses, where carbs and beauty bloom together. Your diet doesn't stand a chance! — Bread & Roses, where carbs and beauty bloom together. Your diet doesn’t stand a chance! Photo credit: David Herszenson

Last but certainly not least, Bread & Roses is the cherry on top of our bakery sundae.

This Ogunquit treasure has been serving up slices of happiness since 1989, and they’re not stopping anytime soon.

The quaint white building with its red umbrellas is like something out of a postcard.

A slice of heaven by the sea. Bread & Roses proves that life's too short for bad baked goods. — A slice of heaven by the sea. Bread & Roses proves that life’s too short for bad baked goods. Photo credit: David Herszenson

But the real magic happens inside, where their sticky buns have been known to make grown adults weep with joy.

Don’t be ashamed – let those happy tears flow.

There you have it, folks – 12 reasons to throw your diet out the window and embrace the sweet life.

Maine: come for the lobster, stay for the carbs!

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